With their rotation decimated by injuries, the Red Sox could use a longer rest than the All-Star break provides.
Good thing Baltimore’s coming to town tonight.
The Orioles are a last-place team that’s lost three straight and eight of 10. But they’ve been even worse against Boston in recent years.
Baltimore hasn’t posted a winning record against the Sox since 2004, when they went 10-9. Since then, it’s been all Boston — though the teams have split their 22 games since the start of the 2010 campaign.
In 2005, the Sox went 10-8 against the Orioles. They went a stunning 15-3 in 2006, followed by 12-6 performances in both 2007 and ’08. Boston’s 2009 mark vs. Baltimore was a more-than-lopsided 16-2.
Yes, if history holds, this week should be a cakewalk.
The Sox carry a two-game winning streak into tonight’s series opener. More importantly, they bring Andrew Miller, the surprising lefty who’s gone 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in three outings this year. He’s just one-third of an inning away from having posted three statistical quality starts.
Jake Arrieta (9-5, 4.74 ERA) will start for Baltimore.
